Megan Giesen | Assistant Coach

Megan Giesen begins her first season as assistant coach for the University at Buffalo women's soccer program in 2017. She will be responsible for team camps, travel and on field work with the UB midfielders.

"It gives me great pleasure to be returning to my alma mater, the University at Buffalo," stated Megan Giesen. "During my time as a student-athlete at UB, I was fortunate enough to play under Coach Burke and Coach Derkacz, and I now look forward to continuing my coaching career alongside them. I feel my experiences as a former player give me a unique understanding of our style of play and will allow me to assist in communication with our current players. I am honored to accept this coaching position and look forward to lending my experience and knowledge in the pursuit of winning another MAC title."

Giesen returns to her Alma Mater after working as a graduate assistant coach for the women's soccer team at Youngstown State for the past two seasons. Last season, Geisen was instrumental in guiding Marissa Martin to a position change that produced impressive results. Martin, a defender for two seasons, led the team with seven goals and ranked second on the team with 14 total points. She was also named Second Team All-Horizon League.

The former UB captain joined the Penguins staff in 2015 and helped lead the squad to seven wins, second most in a season in school history. The Penguins also played 11 one-goal games out of 18 contests during the campaign.

"We are ecstatic to bring Megan back to Buffalo and add her to our staff," said fourth-year head coach Shawn Burke. "Not only was she a proven leader but a proven winner. Her experience here at Buffalo as a student-athlete and her time at Youngstown State make her an invaluable asset to our program. Megan will have an immediate impact with our athletes and will be instrumental in helping us get back atop the Mid-American Conference."

Giesen played four seasons at Buffalo as she was also a senior team captain on the 2014 Bulls squad that won their first ever MAC Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Strongsville, OH native was an integral member in the Bulls midfield during her career as she accumulated four goals and four assists for 12 points. Giesen appeared in 77 career matches while earning 56 starts in the midfield for the Bulls. As a freshman, Giesen netted two goals and an assist as she earned MAC All-Freshman team honors.

Giesen also served on UB's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for four years and was named to the Executive Board as the Secretary Officer as a senior.

Giesen received her Master's Degree in Education from Youngstown State in 2017 with a concentration in Moderate to Intensive Special Education. She also graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in health and human services.